This article examines the distinctions among the three streaming protocols and the nuances associated with streaming on Vimeo. You can use RTMP, RTMPS, and SRT to stream a live event with Vimeo.
In this article:
RTMP/RTMPS
RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol) is a streaming protocol. RTMP works on top of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). RTMPS (Real-Time Messaging Protocol Secure) is an encrypted RTMP protocol delivered over a Transport Layer Security (TLS/SSL) connection.
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Pros:
- Provides a persistent and stable connection
- Allows low-latency communication.
- RTMPS is encrypted, adding an extra layer of security.
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Cons:
- RTMP lacks encryption. Some firewalls may block RTMP connections.
- It can struggle with poor network conditions and interruptions, particularly in low-bandwidth environments.
- RTMP was once a standard, but is now used much less with the introduction of RTMPS.
Learn how to stream with RTMP/RTMPS at How to stream a live event over RTMP/RTMPS.
SRT
SRT (Support Reliable Transport) is an open-source protocol for low-latency, high-quality video streaming, especially over unpredictable networks.
We do not support multi-audio track SRT streams, and extended stream mode and fail-safe streaming are unavailable when streaming with SRT. SRT streams support 1080p30.
⚠️Note: We do not support all modes available in SRT encoders. The external encoder should use the Caller mode, which means the Vimeo platform can only work in the Listener mode.
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Pros:
- Works best on unstable networks.
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Cons:
- Not widely supported.
Learn how to stream with SRT at How to stream a live event over SRT.